London: You'll Never Want to Leave Past Review
By Erin _ (Anthropology/Sociology, Albion College) for
Study Abroad Programs in London
Going into this program I never imagined how it could have changed my life. I had visited London once before for Spring Break and had fallen in love with the city. Going back nearly made my love an obsession. After a semester abroad London truly became my home. The city is so diverse and there are always new things to discover. New plays to see, new streets to walk down, new people to meet. Before my stay in London I had never been one to take chances. I was completely dependent on my guide book. My suggestion now: throw the guide book out the window. Discover London for yourself. Definitely go see the Tower of London (I've been there five times) and the British Museum but try to discover the little things you would have otherwise missed. Like little book stores with second edition Jane Austens in Covent Garden or quirky Australian coffee shops in SoHo. There is so much to discover if you take the time to do so.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload was a bit overwhelming at times for my English literature course and I will admit to using Sparks Notes every so often since we often only had two weeks to read 500+ pages of 19th century lit. I would recommend trying to balance a literature course on top of an internship and everything else only if you are taking it as Credit/No Credit and not for a grade. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The only weakness that I saw of this program was that EPA students took classes with those from New York University. We did not get a chance to fully immerse ourselves in the English educational system. It was also difficult to get to know any of the NYU students as both groups tended to stick with themselves. However, I think everything else about the program was incredible. The internship opportunity was absolutely amazing and an experience I could only have dreamed of. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing for the EPA program is amazing! Students stay in flats right in the center of London, just south of Regent's Park. You are just a short walk from shopping on Oxford Street, the London Zoo, and amazing theater and restaurants. If you want to stretch your legs the British Museum is just a half an hour walk away. The flats are completely furnished and you just have to buy your weekly to monthly supplies of cleaning supplies. |
| * Food: |
I highly recommend eating in a pub at least once during your stay in London. The English are not well known for their food but pub faire is delicious. Fish and chips with a side of mushy peas is a staple and surprisingly delicious. Indian restaurants are incredibly common in London and I highly recommending stopping by Brick Lane a few times during your stay to try some Indian cuisine. As someone who doesn't eat red meat it was often difficult to find much to eat in London, however Indian cuisine has a wide range of vegetarian dishes that are all delicious. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The EPA program didn't really plan any cultural events and field trips for the students. The NYU students that we were studying with did have many opportunities to travel as groups to different places which we did not get. While I think it would be nice if these events had been offered to us, I think it would have been difficult to make work since we had internships which NYU students did not have. I also like that by not planning these excursions the EPA program gave students the freedom to chose where they wanted to visit and when. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I feel that the city is incredibly safe as long as you are smart. I never once felt threatened or at risk. Do not get into unregistered taxi cabs, this is perhaps the most dangerous part of London. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Go out and explore! There is so much to see in London that your pocket guide book will forget to mention. Some of the most amazing things I discovered were just by walking around the city without cause or purpose. Check online for movie premiers in Leicester Square. You may have to stand in the rain for 10 hours like I did but not only can you do some red carpet celebrity spotting but the people you meet standing through the rain with you could be just as amazing. Visit a different coffee shop every few days. People watch and learn; never stop learning. |
